The Doubleus are going to be joined for Christmas this year by the Irving clan. Meyrick had a rather uneventful trip up from London despite the weather. On the other hand, the overnight flight that Tony and Chris took from Cape Town via Istanbul was one of the last to land at Heathrow before the snow and ice really took hold. Reward for this was a 2 hour wait on the runway followed by a 2 hour wait on the tube followed by a 4 hour train trip to Newcastle.
Feeling that they hadn't done enough travelling, after a few days this "hardened northern posse" decided to brave the snow, ice and feezing fog and venture up to the cottage at Gatehouse.
Temperatures of minus 12'c greeted us on arrival. But a crystal clear night sky with a full moon gave way to a very crisp still day with a perfect blue sky. So after a warming breakfast of porridge (what else in a Scottish winter?), we set off for our walk with Jeff in Laurieston Woods.
Jeff was a little perturbed to find one of his all-time favourite drinking streams frozen solid. Not one to let his spirits be dampened, he quickly got stuck in to a bit of ice skating! It looked such fun that by the end of the walk we'd all had a go!
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
The Weddoes play Bizarro
I recently drove through a blizzard to see the Wedding Present play the hometown gig on their Bizarro Tour. I say "hometown," but David Gedge now spends most if his time in Southern California than Leeds (you can hire his Santa Monica pad whilst they're on tour). And I say "The Wedding Present," but obviously DG is the only member from the original line-up.
After dealing with ice and snow on the way to Leeds city centre, Mark and I met up with Simon and warmed ourselves on Thai food and Tiger beer, before we were treated to a storming gig.
TWP warmed us up with "Heather" from the "Seamonsters" LP and "Something and Nothing" off their first EP "from more than 20 years ago," Gedge said, "and I know what you're thinking: how do I still look so good?" I think the Grecian 2000 may have something to do with it, David.
They then launched into the complete "Bizarro" LP which was still stunning all these years later. Sadly we weren't treated to the B-sides from the singles (The Weddoes cover of "Box Elder" was the first Pavement song I ever heard), but we were treated to a few extras before the obligatory statement: "This is our last song. We are The Wedding Present and we don't do encores."
I can't wait for the "George Best vs The Seamonsters Tour" that must surely be in the offing.
An excellent night couldn't get much better could it? Well, yes. The purchase of an "All the songs still sound the same" T-shirt was followed by it being autographed by DG; no wait for a taxi in -5'c; Sierra Nevada Pale Ale waiting in the fridge; and a satisfyingly swift victory for England in the Adelaide Test.
After dealing with ice and snow on the way to Leeds city centre, Mark and I met up with Simon and warmed ourselves on Thai food and Tiger beer, before we were treated to a storming gig.
TWP warmed us up with "Heather" from the "Seamonsters" LP and "Something and Nothing" off their first EP "from more than 20 years ago," Gedge said, "and I know what you're thinking: how do I still look so good?" I think the Grecian 2000 may have something to do with it, David.
They then launched into the complete "Bizarro" LP which was still stunning all these years later. Sadly we weren't treated to the B-sides from the singles (The Weddoes cover of "Box Elder" was the first Pavement song I ever heard), but we were treated to a few extras before the obligatory statement: "This is our last song. We are The Wedding Present and we don't do encores."
I can't wait for the "George Best vs The Seamonsters Tour" that must surely be in the offing.
An excellent night couldn't get much better could it? Well, yes. The purchase of an "All the songs still sound the same" T-shirt was followed by it being autographed by DG; no wait for a taxi in -5'c; Sierra Nevada Pale Ale waiting in the fridge; and a satisfyingly swift victory for England in the Adelaide Test.
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Powder Hound
We were woken at 5am by a whining Jeff Dog. His mountaindog genes were kicking in: he'd seen the snow and was desperate to be out.
After fortifying myself with porridge and strong black coffee, I was ready to hit the slopes (and by that I mean the hill at the bottom of Salisbury Gardens). It turned out I needed 2 dog handlers for the shenanigans I was planning, so Mrs Doubleu and the lodger both had to suit up in appropriate arctic gear.
After "giving" me on my snowboard a 50m head start, Jeff was released to chase me down. He quickly caught me as I speeded down the hill, and savaged my mittened hands before pushing me to the snow and leaping all over me. Repeat several times with no ski lift to get to the top: it was hard work and Jeff wasn't making it any easier with his newly acquired attack-dog skills... but I would have my revenge.
It wasn't deliberate but I ran him over! I felt dreadful when I realised I'd cut his paw open. Thankfully he didn't seem to have notice and even though he would eventually need staples, he was still galloping around, chasing snowmen, with a grin on his face.
After fortifying myself with porridge and strong black coffee, I was ready to hit the slopes (and by that I mean the hill at the bottom of Salisbury Gardens). It turned out I needed 2 dog handlers for the shenanigans I was planning, so Mrs Doubleu and the lodger both had to suit up in appropriate arctic gear.
After "giving" me on my snowboard a 50m head start, Jeff was released to chase me down. He quickly caught me as I speeded down the hill, and savaged my mittened hands before pushing me to the snow and leaping all over me. Repeat several times with no ski lift to get to the top: it was hard work and Jeff wasn't making it any easier with his newly acquired attack-dog skills... but I would have my revenge.
It wasn't deliberate but I ran him over! I felt dreadful when I realised I'd cut his paw open. Thankfully he didn't seem to have notice and even though he would eventually need staples, he was still galloping around, chasing snowmen, with a grin on his face.
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